Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Students enrolled in our course are encouraged to write for the course blog, and to read and comment on posts from students at other participating universities. The blog offers students the opportunity to analyze current events through the lens of the theory and case studies they engage with through the course.

These blogs reflect the views of the student authors, and not those of the Democratic Erosion Consortium.

When Violence Breaks the Surface: The Kirk Incident as a Warning for American Democracy

By Stavros Ligris The shooting of Charlie Kirk during a university event in Utah this September has been described as shocking, tragic, and destabilizing. But it should also be understood as part of a larger pattern of democratic decline in the United States. What...

First 100 Days, More Like First 100 Hours: How Trump’s First 100 Days Played Out Against Trump’s Second 100 Hours

Indiana Senator Jim Banks, a staunch Trump ally, predicted that President Trump’s return to power would be characterized by “shock and awe.” In many ways, the events of President Trump’s first 100 hours in office during his second term have lived up to that promise....

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

A strong and consistent global defense by democratic nations is crucial to preventing the rise of autocratic regimes, as history shows—from the Cold War doctrines to the failed democratization of Afghanistan—that without committed follow-through and structural reform, authoritarian forces will exploit weaknesses and reclaim power.

Let’s Be Cautious of Jail Bolsonaro as Brazil Enters Round Two of Voting

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

Brazil's incumbent President Jair Bolsonaro utilized populist rhetoric and disinformation to help win his 2018 election campaign. At the beginning of this month, Bolsonaro...

Democratic Backsliding in Mali?

Oct 14, 2022 | Ohio State University

While democratic backsliding has become a question in some of the world’s biggest and most successful...

Maduro, Populism, and Democratic Erosion by Jack Snitak @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Last week, Reuters reported that U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said at a news conference that Venezuelan state forces may have committed crimes against humanity and...

An Emergency Power amendment for the Japanese constitution

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Ever since 1955, the Liberal Democratic Party has pursued to shape the Japanese Constitution in some sort of ways to boost the strength of its country. Shinzo Abe, who is the prime minister of Japan...

“Populism more Susceptible and Detrimental in Asia: Is Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s Leading India into Democratic Decline?” by “Se Bin Kim” @ “University of California, Los Angeles”

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

The rise of populist leaders in the United States and Europe has reshaped the political scene all around the world. From seeking political hegemony and challenging elites, populists...

Enrique Pena Nieto corrupts Mexico’s Democracy by Jason Ballejo @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Enrique Pena Nieto's vote into office on June 1st, 2012 will forever leave a mark in Mexico's path to a desired democracy. To begin with, lets summarize briefly who Enrique Pena Nieto is and what he...

The Holocaust Law: A Case in Point of Democratic Backsliding in Poland by Nam Sik Yoo @ University of California, Los Angeles

Mar 15, 2018 | University of California, Los Angeles

Democracy has certainly been on the rise throughout the world during the past four decades. According to the Pew Research Center, 97 out of 167 countries (58%) with populations of at least 500,000...

Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

When Violence Breaks the Surface: The Kirk Incident as a Warning for American Democracy

First 100 Days, More Like First 100 Hours: How Trump’s First 100 Days Played Out Against Trump’s Second 100 Hours

History Repeats: Why Strong Global Defense is Key to Preventing Autocracy

Let’s Be Cautious of Jail Bolsonaro as Brazil Enters Round Two of Voting

Democratic Backsliding in Mali?

Maduro, Populism, and Democratic Erosion by Jack Snitak @ University of California, Los Angeles

An Emergency Power amendment for the Japanese constitution

“Populism more Susceptible and Detrimental in Asia: Is Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s Leading India into Democratic Decline?” by “Se Bin Kim” @ “University of California, Los Angeles”

Enrique Pena Nieto corrupts Mexico’s Democracy by Jason Ballejo @ University of California, Los Angeles

The Holocaust Law: A Case in Point of Democratic Backsliding in Poland by Nam Sik Yoo @ University of California, Los Angeles

Hungary’s Erosion from Liberal to Illiberal Democracy by Christine Wiley @ UCLA

A Bleak Future for Democracy in Venezuela by Katherine Clement @ University of California, Los Angeles

France’s 2017 Election- Fighting Populism and Backsliding by Mona Farzan @ UCLA

Populism in Kenyan Presidential Elections as a Threat to Democracy by Mackenzi Elias @ UCLA

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